System and method for filling containers with fluids

ABSTRACT

An example embodiment of an apparatus includes a housing with an opening at a first end and a plurality of holes at a second end, a plurality of hollow tubes attached to the plurality of holes, a plurality of containers removably attached to the hollow tubes, and a plurality of elastic fasteners, each elastic fastener clamping each container to a corresponding hollow tube, such that when the containers are filled with fluid and detached from the corresponding hollow tubes, each elastic fastener seals each container with the fluid inside.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation of and claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §120from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/492,487 entitled “SYSTEM ANDMETHOD FOR FILLING INFLATABLE CONTAINERS WITH LIQUID,” filed Sep. 22,2014, which claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) from U.S.Provisional Application Ser. Nos. 61/937,083 and 61/942,193, filed Feb.7, 2014 and Feb. 20, 2014, respectively, which applications are allincorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to fluid inflatable systems andmore particularly, to a system and method for filling containers withfluids.

BACKGROUND

Inflatable containers such as balloons can be filled with a variety offluids, such as air, helium, water, medicines, etc. In some cases, a lotof inflatable containers may need to be filled with fluids. For example,balloons used as props in conventions, large parties, etc. may number inthe hundreds and may require substantial human effort to fill them allin a timely manner. In another example, water balloons used as kids'toys may need to be filled in large numbers to aid in various games.Various methods may be employed to fill such inflatable containers. Forexample, an individual may blow up and tie each balloon by hand or use atank of compressed air or helium to inflate the balloon, which then hasto be tied. In another example, an individual may fill water balloonswith water by hand one at a time, and then tie the balloons, which canall be quite time-consuming. Moreover, the inflatable containers may bedamaged or filled to different volumes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To provide a more complete understanding of the present disclosure andfeatures and advantages thereof, reference is made to the followingdescription, taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures, whereinlike reference numerals represent like parts, in which:

FIG. 1 is a simplified perspective view illustrating an exampleconfiguration of an embodiment of a system for filling containers withfluids;

FIG. 2 is a simplified diagram illustrating a cross-sectional view ofexample details of an embodiment of the system;

FIG. 3 is a simplified diagram illustrating other example details of anembodiment of the system;

FIG. 4 is a simplified diagram illustrating yet other example details ofan embodiment of the system;

FIG. 5 is a simplified diagram illustrating yet other example details ofan embodiment of the system;

FIG. 6 is a simplified diagram illustrating yet other example details ofan embodiment of the system;

FIG. 7 is a simplified diagram illustrating yet other example details ofan embodiment of the system; and

FIG. 8 is a simplified flow diagram illustrating example operations thatmay be associated with an embodiment of the system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS Overview

An example embodiment of an apparatus includes a housing (e.g., casing,covering, etc. with a cavity inside) with an opening at a first end anda plurality of holes at a second end, a plurality of hollow tubesattached to the plurality of holes, a plurality of containers (e.g.,receptacles, vessels, ampules, test-tubes, balloons, etc.) removablyattached to the hollow tubes, and a plurality of elastic fasteners, eachelastic fastener clamping each container to a corresponding hollow tube,such that when the containers are filled with fluid and detached fromthe corresponding hollow tubes, each elastic fastener seals eachcontainer with the fluid inside.

Example Embodiments

It is to be understood that the following disclosure describes severalexample embodiments for implementing different features, structures, orfunctions of the system. Example embodiments of components,arrangements, and configurations are described herein to simplify thepresent disclosure. However, these example embodiments are providedmerely as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of theinvention.

The present disclosure may repeat reference numerals and/or letters inthe various exemplary embodiments and across the Figures providedherein. This repetitions is for the purpose of simplicity and clarityand does not in itself indicate a relationship between the variousexemplary embodiments and/or configurations discussed in the variousFigures.

FIG. 1 is a simplified diagram illustrating an example embodiment of asystem 10 for filling containers with fluids. System 10 includes ahousing 12 removably attached to a hose 14 (e.g., tube, pipe, etc.) on afirst end A and to a plurality of hollow tubes 16 on a second end B. Asused herein, the term “housing” encompasses a hollow space enclosed by arigid or semi-rigid casing (e.g., covering, skin, sleeve, sheath, etc.).In some embodiments, end A may include a threaded opening configured tomate with corresponding threads on hose 14. In some embodiments, end Amay be smaller in circumference or area than end B. Hose 14 may beconnected to a fluid source, such as a water tank, gas tank, watersupply line, etc. on end A. End B may include a plurality of holes(e.g., configured in an array), configured to fit tubes 16. In someembodiments, tubes 16 may be permanently attached (e.g., welded, brazed,stuck with adhesives, press-fitted, etc.) to housing 12. In otherembodiments, tubes 16 may be removably attached (e.g., with threads,pressure, etc.) to housing 12.

A plurality of containers 18 may be clamped (e.g., attached, fastened,held, clinched, secured, etc.) to plurality of tubes 16 using elasticvalves 20. As used herein, the term “container” refers to an object thatcan hold something, such as fluids. The term “valve” refers to an objectthat regulates, directs, or controls the flow of fluids, by opening,closing, or partially obstructing passageways of fluid flow. In anexample embodiment, elastic valves 20 comprise elastic fasteners, suchas O-rings. In another example embodiments, elastic valves 20 comprisecorrugations, smocking, elastic fibers, etc. fabricated into the necksof containers 18 such that force is required to pull open the necks ofcontainers 18, and removal of the force causes the necks to constrictand close. In yet another example embodiment, elastic valves compriseinternal or external plugs affixed to the necks of containers 18,through which tubes 16 may be pushed through to clamp containers 18thereto.

Note that each of containers 18 have an opening to facilitate clampingto tubes 16 and a cavity for containing fluid. For example, one end ofan example tube 16A may be fitted through a hole in end B of housing 12,and the other end of tube 16A may be inserted into an example container18A. An example elastic valve 20A (e.g., O-ring, comprising a mechanicalgasket typically in a toroid shape; elastic ring, such as a rubber-band)of sufficient size to expand and clamp around tube 16A may be disposearound (e.g., placed over) a neck (e.g., portion just below opening) ofcontainer 18A, clamping and sealing container 18A to tube 16A. Thus,elastic valve 20A may be in an open configuration when container 18A isattached to tube 16A; in elastic valve 20A's open configuration, theneck of container 18A is open, allowing container 18A to fill withfluid. After container 18A is filled with fluid, it may be removed fromtube 16A, whereupon elastic valve 20A closes, thereby closing the neckof container 18A and sealing the fluid inside.

In one example embodiment, containers 18 may comprise inflatableballoons that may be filled with fluids such as water, air or helium. Inanother example embodiment, containers 18 may comprise flexible (e.g.,stretchy, springy, etc.) elastic containers that may be filled withgaseous or liquid medications. As used herein, the term “elastic” ismeant to refer to a property of a material that allows the material toresume its normal shape spontaneously after contraction, dilation, ordistortion. In an example, an elastic material may be stretched to 200%of its original length, and the material may return to its originallength when the stretching force is removed.

In yet another example embodiment, containers 18 may comprise flexiblecontainers that may be filled with body fluids (e.g., urine, blood) forexample, to collect multiple samples simultaneously for testing.Virtually any type and kind of fluid may be used within the broad scopeof the embodiments. Note that in some embodiments, containers 18 neednot be inflatable or flexible in their entireties. For example, a bottomportion of containers 18 may be inelastic (e.g., glass, plastic, metal,etc., of fixed shape and size), and a top portion may be flexible enoughto be inserted around tubes 16 and clamped thereon.

When the fluid source is turned on, fluid may flow through housing 12,tubes 16 and fill containers 18. In some embodiments, when housing 12 isconnected to a stream of liquid, containers 18 may be filled with theliquid. In some embodiments, the fluid may be supplied at high pressure.Virtually any mechanism that facilitates fluid flow through tubes 16 atsufficient pressure to fill containers 18 may be used within the broadscope of the embodiments. After containers 18 have reached a desiredsize or volume, they may be detached from tubes 16. In one exampleembodiment, filled containers 18 may be detached by pulling them awayfrom tubes 16.

In another example embodiment, the connecting force holding filledcontainers 18 to tubes 16 may be overcome by an upward acceleration ontubes 16, for example, when they are shaken. Thus, filled containers 18may be detached by shaking housing 12 (or tubes 16) sufficientlyvigorously to cause containers 18 to fall off from tubes 16. In someembodiments, the connecting force holding filled container to itscorresponding tube is not less than the weight of the filled container;in a specific embodiment, the connecting force holding each container toits corresponding tube is exactly equal to the weight of the filledcontainer. The connecting force may be provided by a combination ofconstricting forces and friction forces from elastic valves 20.

In yet other embodiments, containers 18 may fall off under gravity; forexample, when filled containers 18 reach a threshold weight, they slipoff tubes 16 due to gravity. The threshold weight may be based upon thetightness of elastic valves 20, friction between tubes 16 and containers18, and force from the weight of containers 18 (among other parameters).In various embodiments, containers 14 may slide off tubes 16 and elasticvalves 20 may constrict the necks of containers 18, sealing them. Insome embodiments, containers 18 may be marked with volumetricmeasurements, and fluid flow may be turned off when the fluid has filledcontainers 18 to a desired volume.

In some embodiments, hollow tubes 16 may be made of a rigid material(e.g., steel, glass); in other embodiments, tubes 16 may be made of aflexible material (e.g., thin plastic). In some embodiments, tubes 16may be thick, short and rigid; in other embodiments, tubes 16 may beslender, long and flexible. Thus, hollow tubes 16 may be flexible,semi-rigid, or rigid, based on its material of construction, design, ora combination thereof. Note that tubes 16 may be of different lengths,for example, to prevent crowding and to accommodate a larger number ofcontainers 18 than would be possible if tubes 16 were of the samelength. Thus, at least some of hollow tubes 16 may be of differentlengths than the others.

Also, tubes 16 may be flexible to enable containers 18 to expand. Thus,as containers 18 fill with fluid and expand, they may push against eachother, flexing tubes 16. The outermost tubes 16 may be flexed more thanthe innermost tubes 16 (outer and inner being in reference to acenter-point of housing 12, with the inner tubes 16 being closer to thecenter-point, and the outer tubes 16 being farther from thecenter-point).

Turning to FIG. 2, FIG. 2 is a simplified cross-sectional view of aportion of an embodiment of system 10. Housing 12 comprises a threadedopening 22 at end A, an internal cavity 24, and an array of holes 26 atend B. Internal cavity 24 facilitates distributing the fluid entering atthreaded opening 22 to array of holes 26 at end B. In some embodiments,threaded opening 22 may be configured for attaching to a fluid supplyhose 14 (e.g., garden hose, plastic tube, etc.). In other embodiments,threaded opening 22 may be attached to corresponding threads in a valve.Array of holes 26 may be configured for connecting first ends 28 oftubes 16 by any suitable means. In some embodiments, first ends 28 oftubes 16 may be connected to corresponding holes 26 by compressing orgluing. In some embodiments, a number of holes 26 in housing 12 and anumber of tubes 16 can correspond to a number of containers 18 that aredesired to be filled and sealed substantially simultaneously.

To clarify further, only one example tube 16A is shown in the figure. Afirst end 28A of tube 16A is fitted through a corresponding hole 26A inhousing 12. A second end 29A of tube 16A is inserted into container 18A.Elastic valve 20A may be placed around the neck of container 18Aclamping the neck to tube 16A. An internal volume 30A of container 18Amay be filled with fluid appropriately.

To fill and seal containers 18, housing 12 may be attached to a fluidsupply tube (e.g., garden hose) and the fluid supply may be turned on.The fluid enters housing 12, is distributed to holes 26, travels downtubes 16, and fills containers 18. Containers 18 may be filled and mayexpand substantially simultaneously. When containers 18 have reached adesired size and/or they are filled with the desired volume of fluid,they may be removed from tubes 16. They can be removed by falling off,by shaking them off, by pulling them off by hand, etc. As each container18A is removed from corresponding tube 16A, respective elastic valve 20Amay constrict and close the neck of container 18A, sealing it with thefluid inside.

Turning to FIG. 3, FIG. 3 is a simplified diagram illustrating exampledetails of a valve 31 that may be attached between hose 14 and housing12 according to an embodiment of system 10. One end of valve 31 may beattached to hose 14 and the other end may be attached to threadedopening 22 of housing 12 (e.g., using threads). A lever 32 may be turnedfrom one side (of valve 31) to another (e.g., as indicated by arrow C)to turn on and turn off fluid flow to housing 12. For example, to turnon the fluid flow, lever 32 may be turned to a first position; lever 32may be turned to a second position (e.g., different from the firstposition) to turn off fluid flow.

Turning to FIG. 4, FIG. 4 is a simplified diagram illustrating exampledetails of an embodiment of system 10. Housing 12 may be attached to aspigot 33 (e.g., nozzle, faucet, outlet, etc.) that connects to thefluid source. Spigot 33 may be turned on or turned off to start or stopfluid flow to housing 12.

Turning to FIG. 5, FIG. 5 is a simplified diagram illustrating exampledetails of an application of an embodiment of system 10. Embodiments ofsystem 10 may be used in a variety of applications, such as forcollecting numerous blood samples substantially simultaneously. Blood 34may be drawn from a human (or animal) and blood 34 may collectsubstantially simultaneously in plurality of containers 18. Thesubstantial simultaneous collection of blood in such manner can easepatient pain, speed up sampling time, and enable taking multiple samplessubstantially simultaneously without cross-contamination from onecontainer to another or messy transfers between containers.

Turning to FIG. 6, FIG. 6 is a simplified diagram illustrating exampledetails of an application of an embodiment of system 10. Embodiments ofsystem 10 may be used in a variety of applications, such as forcollecting numerous urine samples substantially simultaneously. Urine 36may be drawn from a human (or animal) through a suitable catheter 38,and may collect substantially simultaneously in plurality of containers18.

Turning to FIG. 7, FIG. 7 is a simplified diagram illustrating exampledetails of an embodiment of system 10. Example container 18A maycomprise a flexible portion 40 and an inflexible portion 42. Flexibleportion 40 may be clamped on to example tube 16A using example elasticvalve 20A. In some embodiments, container 18A may comprise volumetricmeasurement markings 44. When fluid fills container 18A to a desiredvolume, for example, as indicated by volumetric measurement marking 44,container 18A may be detached from tube 16A, whereupon elastic valve 20Amay close container 18A, sealing the fluid inside.

Turning to FIG. 8, FIG. 8 is a simplified flow diagram 50 illustratingexample operations that may be associated with an embodiment of system10. At 52, housing 12 may be attached to a fluid source (e.g., throughhose 14, spigot 33, etc.) At 54, fluid may be supplied from the fluidsource to housing 12. At 56, plurality of containers 18 may be filledwith the fluid. At 58, containers 18 may be detached from correspondingtubes 16.

Note that in this Specification, references to various features (e.g.,elements, structures, modules, components, steps, operations,characteristics, etc.) included in “one embodiment”, “exampleembodiment”, “an embodiment”, “another embodiment”, “some embodiments”,“various embodiments”, “other embodiments”, “alternative embodiment”,and the like are intended to mean that any such features are included inone or more embodiments of the present disclosure, but may or may notnecessarily be combined in the same embodiments.

The elements described herein may be made of any suitable materials,including metal (e.g., stainless steel, copper, brass, bronze, aluminum,etc.), plastic, glass, elastomers, or any suitable combination thereof.Each element may also be made of a combination of different materials(e.g., housing and tubes may be made of plastic and containers may bemade of elastic rubber; housing and tubes may be made of stainless steeland containers may be made of a combination of glass and flexibleplastic; etc.). Any suitable material or combination of materials may beused for the components described herein without departing from thebroad scope of the present disclosure.

In addition, the shapes shown and illustrated in the various FIGURES arefor example purposes only. Various other shapes may be used hereinwithout changing the scope of the present disclosure. For example,housing 12 may be conical, cylindrical, pyramidal, etc., withoutdeparting from the broad scope of the embodiments. Likewise, tubes 16may be rigid, or flexible 18 without departing from the scope of thebroad embodiments.

While the disclosure references several particular embodiments, thoseskilled in the art will be able to make various modifications to thedescribed embodiments without departing from the true spirit and scopeof the disclosure. It is intended that all elements or steps which areinsubstantially different from those recited in the claims but performsubstantially the same functions, respectively, in substantially thesame way to achieve the same result as what is claimed are within thescope of the disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus comprising: a housing comprising an opening at a first end and a plurality of holes extending through a common face of the housing at a second end; a plurality of flexible hollow tubes, each hollow tube attached to the housing at a respective one of the holes at the second end of the housing; a plurality of containers, each container removably attached to a respective one of the hollow tubes; and a plurality of elastic fasteners, each elastic fastener clamping a respective one of the plurality of containers to a respective tube, and each elastic fastener configured to restrict detachment of its respective container from its respective tube and to automatically seal its respective container upon detachment of the container from its respective tube, the restriction of each elastic fastener being sufficiently limited to permit its respective container to detach from its respective tube upon one or more of (1) at least partially filling the container with a fluid and (2) shaking the housing; wherein the apparatus is configured to fill the containers substantially simultaneously with the fluid.
 2. An apparatus comprising: a housing comprising an opening at a first end, and a plurality of holes extending through a common face of the housing at a second end; a plurality of flexible tubes, each tube attached to the housing at a respective one of the holes at the second end of the housing; and a plurality of containers, each container removably attached to a respective one of the tubes, and each container comprising a respective elastic fastener configured to clamp the container to its respective tube and to automatically seal the container if the container is detached from its respective tube, the apparatus being configured to channel a fluid to each of the containers substantially simultaneously.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the apparatus is sufficiently compact to be operated while being held by hand.
 4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein each container is detachable from its respective tube upon application of a threshold force between the container and its respective tube, the threshold force comprising the total weight of the container and any fluid disposed therein.
 5. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein each container is detachable from its respective tube upon application of a threshold force between the container and its tube, the threshold force comprising an inertial function of the mass of any fluid disposed within the container.
 6. The apparatus of claim 2, the housing further comprising a handheld support configured to facilitate application of a respective threshold force between each container and its respective tube, the threshold forces collectively sufficient to detach each container from its respective tube.
 7. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein each container is detachable from its respective tube upon application of a threshold force between the container and its respective tube, the threshold force comprising a tensile force sufficient to detach the container from its respective tube.
 8. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the apparatus is configured to automatically detach each container from its respective tube upon the container being filled with a threshold amount of the fluid.
 9. A handheld balloon-filling apparatus for filling a plurality of balloons substantially simultaneously, comprising: a housing comprising an opening at a first end, and a plurality of holes extending through a common face of the housing at a second end; a plurality of flexible tubes, each tube attached to the housing at a respective one of the holes at the second end of the housing; and a plurality of balloons, each balloon removably attached to a respective one of the tubes, and each balloon comprising a valve configured to automatically seal the balloon if the balloon is detached from its respective tube, the apparatus being configured to channel a fluid to each of the balloons substantially simultaneously; wherein the handheld balloon-filling apparatus is sufficiently compact to be operated while being held by hand.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein each balloon is detachable from its respective tube upon application of a threshold force between the balloon and its respective tube, the threshold force comprising the total weight of the balloon and any fluid disposed therein.
 11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein each balloon is detachable from its respective tube upon application of a threshold force between the balloon and its respective tube, the threshold force comprising an inertial function of the mass of any fluid disposed within the balloon.
 12. The apparatus of claim 9, the housing further comprising a handheld support configured to facilitate application of a respective threshold force between each balloon and its respective tube, the threshold forces collectively sufficient to detach each balloon from its respective tube.
 13. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein each balloon is detachable from its respective tube upon application of a threshold force between the balloon and its respective tube, the threshold force comprising a tensile force sufficient to detach the balloon from its respective tube.
 14. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the apparatus is configured to automatically detach each balloon from its respective tube upon the balloon being filled with a threshold amount of the fluid.
 15. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein each valve is further configured to clamp its respective balloon to its respective tube.
 16. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein each valve is further configured to at least partially obstruct fluid from flowing out of its respective balloon if the respective balloon is detached from its respective tube.
 17. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein each valve comprises an elastic ring disposed around a neck of its respective balloon.
 18. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein each valve comprises a plug disposed within its respective balloon.
 19. A handheld balloon filling apparatus for filling a plurality of balloons substantially simultaneously, comprising: a plurality of flexible tubes each extending from a housing; and a plurality of balloons, each balloon removably attached to a respective one of the tubes, each balloon touching at least another one of the balloons, and each balloon comprising a valve configured to automatically seal the balloon if the balloon is detached from its respective tube, the apparatus being configured to channel a fluid to each of the balloons substantially simultaneously; wherein the apparatus is sufficiently compact to be operated while being held by hand.
 20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the shortest distance between a first tube and a second tube of the plurality of tubes, relative to an endpoint where the first tube is coupled to the housing and an endpoint where the second tube is coupled to the housing, is less than two times the maximum outer width of the first tube.
 21. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein each balloon is detachable from its respective tube upon application of a threshold force between the balloon and its respective tube, the threshold force comprising the total weight of the balloon and any fluid disposed therein.
 22. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the apparatus is configured to automatically detach each balloon from its respective tube upon the balloon being filled with a threshold amount of the fluid.
 23. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein each valve is further configured to clamp its respective balloon to the respective tube.
 24. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein each valve is further configured to at least partially obstruct fluid from flowing out of its respective balloon if the respective balloon is detached from its respective tube.
 25. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein each valve comprises an elastic ring disposed around a neck of its respective balloon.
 26. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein each valve comprises a plug disposed within its respective balloon. 